Author's Notes: Hullo, I'm alive, did you miss me? ^_~ Kaa—you people are so boring, only one made a guess… GreatLight432's right, this chapter is Meg-centric. Now, if only I have something to offer you… _
@Luc: Hix had a spine??! O.o Well, I guess compared to how he was before, it's an improvement. ^^;;; And no, I won't flood, don't worry. _ Or maybe I will, who knows?
@King Gilby: EOW-chan!!! huggles I'm glad you liked my work for this so far!! Heeeey—I'm over-fluffy??! You never told me that before!!! =P I did warn you I write shoujo fanfics!!!
@GreatLight432: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Always nice to see people who appreciate my writing!!! And your second guess is right!!! It IS Meg!!! Valeria has red hair in other pics, and… isn't she just too old for Futch? @_@
@CeleslovesYugi: T.T This is unfortunate. I never planned to have a Sasarai interview. There's an explanation for that. Y'see this fic is *sorta* a prequel to a bigger fic. And well, Sasa… *sighs*
Disclaimer: Suikoden is not mine.
Who Is The Mysterious Magician Luc?
Chapter 5: An Unexpected Encounter
"Aaaaah!!!" Kidd flung his arms in the air and stretched his limbs. It felt good to be out. Being here in Vinay del Zexay is a refreshing change from being cooped up in Budehuc Castle. An informer can only learn so much in one place; it was about time I traveled.
"Would you like a sweet roll?" Asked a kind-faced young woman holding a tray of warm, sticky bread rolls.
"Ah, no thanks." Kidd declined.
"I can give you a free sample," she offered.
"Well… okay then." Kidd took the sweet roll from her and bit in it. "Hmm… this is good." He took some coins out of his pocket. "I'll buy what I can with this much."
"Sure," the woman wrapped several rolls in waxed paper. "I gave you an extra roll for good measure."
"Thank you." Kidd smiled and went on his way.
"You really have to be extra-nice to any child that comes your way, huh?" Kidd turned and saw a gentleman conversing with the lady.
"It never hurts." The lady blushed.
I like this place. Kidd bit into another sweet roll. He continued walking in the marketplace, looking through the shops, observing the people… trying to find his next contributor…
"Excuse me," said a feminine voice behind him. Kidd stepped sideways and a woman brushed past him.
Hey!! Kidd was suddenly alert. That lady…
Kidd knew beauty when he saw it. And the woman that just passed by was a perfect example. But that was not what caught his attention…
Her light-brown, wavy ponytail swung as she walked gracefully through the crowd. She seems awful familiar… She had on a turtleneck dress of red, green and white… in a style that he has seen somewhere else before. Why is there something so familiar with that spiky collar and those white cuffs?
Before he could realize it, Kidd was following the woman through the crowd. He walked when she walked, paused when she paused and hurried when she hurried. All the while trying to hear what she said, trying to catch a glimpse of what she was doing.
"I'll buy a set of screws," Kidd heard the woman say.
"Here you go." Said the shopkeeper.
"Thank you," said the woman. She placed the screws inside a bag that rested on a little barrel Kidd noticed just now. "I brought screws already, Gadget Tot, so stop complaining."
"YES MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH."
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!" Kidd screamed. T-t-t-t-t-he…
"Is there something wrong?" Kidd looked up; a man was looking down at him concernedly. Kidd's eyes widened when he saw that everyone else in the vicinity was staring at him, including the woman he was following.
"N-nothing…" Kidd replied raggedly. "I… I'm sorry…" He quickly walked away, as if he was leaving, only to hide behind a stall to spy on the woman. She had a suspicious look on her face.
That barrel talked!!! It really talked!! Kidd shook his head. Get a grip, it's not like you haven't seen this sort of thing with—
"BELLE!!!" Kidd cried, clapping his hands over his mouth just in time to muffle his voice. Sssh… She might hear you again and get suspicious…
The woman started walking away, her little barrel rolling on its wheels beside her. Kidd lost no time in following her.
This woman… there really is something about her… Kidd's brows were drawn together in thought as he walked.
If I didn't know better, I'd say that she—
"EEK!!" Kidd yelped as he tripped over a plank of wood carelessly thrown on the ground. "Ouch…" He rubbed his head, which he had banged on the ground.
"Are you alright?"
"… Uh…" Kidd lifted his head and glanced up, blinking. Oh… no…
"Here, let me help you up." A pair of hands grasped at his arms and helped lift him on his feet. "There you go…"
"Thank you…" Kidd said.
The object of his scrutiny smiled at him before she gathered her things and walked on. "Hurry up Gadget Tot."
"YES MA'AM." The little barrel's wheels whirred and it zipped towards her.
Stop messing up!! Don't blow it again… Kidd brushed himself off and kept on her trail.
The woman stopped in front of a pub. After a quick survey, she entered the pub. Her little barrel had difficulty in rolling itself in; it succeeded after several tries. Kidd waited a few minutes before stepping in.
There she is, sitting on a table near a window. Having a drink.
"Hey boy, watch where you're going!!!" A big, burly man that smelled of ale shouted.
"Sorry!!" Kidd apologized as he stepped out of the man's way.
"What are you doing here?" Asked another man. "This is no place for children."
"I, er…" Kidd looked around uneasily at the faces staring at him.
"Please excuse him—he's my son."
Not again!! Kidd bit his lip as the woman made her way towards him, smiling at the other patrons to appease them.
"Well lady, you should keep your eyes on him, so as not to cause anyone else trouble." One of the men said.
"I will. I am sorry." The woman took his wrist and pulled him to her table.
"THAT CHILD AGAIN?" The barrel asked.
"So it seems, Gadget Tot." The woman sat down and looked at Kidd expectantly. "Sit down."
"Er, yes… thank you." Kidd sat down on a chair across her.
"YOU ARE TROUBLESOME, AREN'T YOU??" Gadget Tot observed.
"Don't be rude," the woman reprimanded. She turned to one of the waiters and motioned at them. "A glass of milk please."
"Yes Ma'am." The waiter brought a tall glass of milk and placed it before Kidd.
"Drink up, you must be thirsty," the woman said.
"T-thank you." Kidd emptied the glass in several gulps. I didn't notice how thirsty I was…
"Were you following me?"
"P-pardon?" Kidd stuttered.
"I said, were you following me?" The woman asked. Her amber-colored eyes sparkled warmly, putting Kidd at ease.
Well… at least she doesn't seem to be angry… "Yes, Miss. I was following you." Kidd replied.
"I knew it," the woman shook her head.
"I'm sorry," Kidd apologized. "And thank you, for helping me…"
"It's no problem," the woman said. "Children will be children. I have a daughter of my own… about your age…"
"YES!!!" Gadget Tot said. It sounded excited. "Miss Be—"
"Gadget Tot!!!" The woman silenced it with a glare.
"………" Kidd looked from the barrel to the woman. Interesting. Who is this Be--?"
"Nevermind that." The woman quickly said. "What are you doing here all alone?"
"I am looking for material. I am investigating about the Harmonian Bishop, Luc." Kidd told her.
"Really now??!" The woman looked surprised.
"Er, yes…" Kidd nodded. "Why are you so surprised?"
"It's just really odd, that somebody I knew once could turn out to be this important." The woman shrugged.
"You knew him??!" Kidd gasped. What luck!!
"Yes," she said with a casual wave of her hand. Then her face became sad. "It's too bad…"
"HOW SAD…" Gadget Tot commented.
"Condolences…" Kidd murmured. "Oh… Ma'am? If you wouldn't mind… may I… interview you?"
"Maybe later," she said.
"Okay," Kidd nodded. He took out his writing pad and made a note.
She leaned forward a curious look on her face. "May I see your findings so far?" She requested.
"Huh??" Kidd blinked. "I-I… I'm sorry, but, I can't show them to anyone… not now…"
A mischievous little smile graced her pretty face. "Okay, I'll let you interview me. But—let me see the notes you have gathered first."
Kidd frowned. "The investigation is top-secret until I see that I have enough accurate material to publish. I am not doing anything to jeopardize the credibility of this project about Master Luc; how can I betray the trust of people who helped me, like Sir Futch??"
"But I knew both of them!!" She flipped her wavy light brown hair over her shoulder. "Here, I'll prove it. Come here, Gadget Tot."
The barrel wheeled itself closer to her. The woman took her bag from on top of the little barrel. She reached inside her bag and took something from it. She dropped the item on the table. "How's that?" She grinned smugly.
Kidd examined the badge she dropped on the table. "Hmm… Dragon Knight, 9th Rank… Futch—" Kidd goggled at her. "An old girlfriend??!"
She turned beet-red and snatched the badge from him. "Being an informer doesn't mean sticking your nose into other people's business without discretion!!!"
"BAD, BAD, BAD!!!" The little barrel said.
"Okay, okay!!" Kidd held out his hands. "I'm sorry." He handed her the pad. "Here it is. Please watch those little papers, some of them have detached themselves from the binding."
"Thank you." She looked through the pages. "Ooh, a lot of familiar names!!! Viki—hmm… seems that she's still as confused as ever. She remembered me!!! Oh… Futch…" Something flashed on her face, but Kidd didn't quite catch it. "See there… that's me." She pointed at a single word.
"Meg? Nice to meet you, Lady Meg." Kidd said. "I'm Kidd, an informer."
"AND I'M GADGET TOT." The little barrel introduced itself.
"Hello," Kidd said. Sure is odd, conversing with a barrel.
"Hmm, it seems that your communication skills are improving, Gadget Tot." Meg observed. She turned her Kidd and offered her hand for a handshake before turning back to the notes. "Miss Jeane. I see she's still at it. Tuta!!! A doctor??! Oh, I knew it… Lilly??!" She frowned. "Would this be the spoiled little brat from Tinto??!"
"Yes," Kidd nodded. "She's now a spoiled little lady."
Meg snickered. "Apple… Yeah, she must have known a bit about Luc from being a strategist… T-Tengaar??"
"She came with her husband after I sent them a letter," Kidd explained. "H-hoping… that they will see Luc…"
"I see…" Meg sighed sadly. "… Little Meg and Millie would be heartbroken as well if they knew… How true…" She looked at Kidd. "Tengaar was like a big sister to me and my bestfriend, Millie."
Meg returned the writing pad to him. "Thank you Kidd. It was nice to feel the presence of old friends…"
"You're welcome." Kidd said.
"Okay, I'll start telling you about the 'Wind Beast.'" Meg tilted her head. "I never really liked him!! Or at least, that's what I said. He knew I said that in jest…"
* * *
"Oh, so this is North Window Castle!!!" Meg exclaimed. "I'm glad I met Riou. This seems like nice enough a place, a little like Toran Castle. Don't you think so, Gadget??"
"YES MEG, WHATEVER YOU SAY…"
The girl ignored her robot's lack of enthusiasm. "This is great!! I think it's even more fun than Toran Castle!!!" Meg turned to the girl she had just met, the girl named Millie. "Show me around!!"
"Okay!" Millie chirped. She tickled her pet. "Let's go Bonaparte!!"
The two girls walked down the main hall of the castle. Meg liked how the sunshine fell right on the walkway, softened by the windowpanes. Far from being annoyed by the babble of sounds around her, Meg liked it. The Castle was lovely, lively and had lots of people!!
Millie pointed a little ways down the hall, her cheeks tinged with pink. "That's Luc, he guards the Stone Tablet of Promise."
"EH??!" Meg cried, surprising the other girl. No way!! "Luc, you mean the magician guy who is Lady Leknaat's pupil??!"
"Yes," Millie nodded.
"That prick!!" Meg made a face.
"Why?" Millie looked a little upset. "Don't you like him?"
"Ugh!!" Meg shuddered. I can't believe it, did I REALLY have to see him again??! Ah, might as well get over it. She stalked down the hall and stood in front of the mage in front of the Stones. "LUC??!"
"Just my luck," Luc rolled his eyes. "The way we bumped into each other again Meg, you'd think Fate has something against me."
"Glad to see you're still as sharp as ever," Meg muttered dryly.
"GREETINGS, LUC." Gadget said.
"Hello, barrel." Luc smirked. "I'm surprised you're still fully functional, considering whose care you were placed under for the past three years."
"Luc, can't you say something NICE for once??" Meg asked exasperatedly.
"Gee, Meg, I'd love to, but you give me no choice." Luc sighed in mock desperation.
"OOH!!! You are just impossible!!!" Meg cried.
"Why are the two of you fighting??" Millie asked, alarmed; as she walked towards them.
"It's not important." Meg insisted, before Luc could say anything.
"Please excuse her, she doesn't want to lose face in front of a new acquaintance." Luc snickered.
"Luc, you really are a pain." Meg sulked.
"Meg, don't say that." Millie told her.
Meg's mouth dropped in outrage and Luc laughed outright.
"Did I say something wrong?" Millie asked sincerely.
"I hope that's enough comedy for your miserable existence." Meg snapped at Luc. "Millie dear, I am ever so glad you like him, seeing as no one else would."
"Eh??!" The color in Millie's cheeks deepened.
"HEY!!!" Luc uttered, turning crimson.
Meg stuck out her tongue at him. Got you there, didn't I? "C'mon Millie, let's go."
* * *
"Luc always though I was too loud. I thought he was too quiet." Meg shrugged. "Easy to see why we always end up arguing. Really, I just wanted to crack a smile out of him!!!"
"They say he always looked lonely…" Kidd said.
"That's true," Meg said. "He wasn't always like that though. Back in the Gate Rune Wars, he was a pretty lively boy. A little mischievous—Mister Tir can attest to that. But he wasn't so lonely…
"Yet he has changed, he was capable of changing so quickly!! That when I saw him at North Window Castle, I was surprised. He never seemed to be able to smile…" Meg rubbed at her eyes. "Sorry… something in my eyes…"
"Anyway," Meg turned to Kidd once again, her eyes a little red. "Don't get me wrong. It may seem that I hated the guy but that's not the case. He may always exasperate the boots off me, but still…"
* * *
"Ooh, I hate this!!" Meg kicked Gadget. Several of its parts dropped on the floor. "AGH!!"
"Meg??" Millie carefully placed Bonaparte on the floor and picked up the little pieces off the floor, dropping them in her hat. "You might lose them…"
"It doesn't matter." Meg plopped on the floor and hugged her knees. "It's no use… I'm no good at clockwork."
"That's not true!!" Millie cried.
"I'm no good!!" Meg shouted.
"Quiet!!" Someone scolded from outside the room.
Meg glared at Luc as he entered, kicking at a cylinder to send it rolling towards Meg. Futch peered in and followed Luc, picking up some pieces of Gadget as he went along.
"Umm… Meg…" Futch held out the pieces at her but Meg looked away from him and refused to take them. Futch placed them in her toolbox instead.
Luc kicked a wheel at Meg. She had an outraged look on her face but Luc only smirked. Futch frowned at Luc disapprovingly.
"Hey, Meg… come now, calm down," Millie said soothingly. Meg bit down her fury and took a deep breath.
"Luc, I'm really not in the mood." Meg muttered.
"So?" Luc raised an eyebrow at her. "That's no excuse for making unnecessary noise and not cleaning up after yourself." He picked up more of her gizmos and threw them at her. "There are such things as garbage cans you know, where you can dispose of trash."
"Luc!!" Futch cried in a reproving tone.
"These aren't trash!!!" Meg yelled at him. "These are my tools!!!"
"Your tools?!" Luc sniffed. "Only mechanicians can use these tools."
"H-hey—" Millie held out her hands and stood between them, but Meg stood up and stepped around her.
"I AM a mechanician!!!" Meg shook a fist at him. "If you think I am just playing with these stuff then you're wrong!!!"
"Meg," Luc began, using a tone would use on a belligerent child. He ignored the incessant tugging of Futch's hand at his sleeve. "These materials are to a mechanician what magic is to a magician. It's their life's work, their achievement, their power. You… if you cannot take clockwork seriously then you can hardly be a mechanician."
"How… dare you!!!" Meg flailed her arms about furiously, causing Millie to take a step back. "Just leave me alone Luc!!!"
"Yes, leave." Futch pulled at Luc's sleeve and managed to shove him towards the door. "Let's leave now. We'll see you two around."
"Seeya!!" Millie said nervously in a high-pitched voice. She waved at them.
Luc cocked an eyebrow at her then looked at Meg. He shook his head and made clucking noises with his tongue as he left. Futch gave Meg an apologetic look before he followed his friend.
"Ooh, can hardly be a mechanician, I'll show you!!!" Meg swore. She gathered her tools and placed them inside her box. "I'll take those." She snatched the hat from Millie's hands and dropped the contents in her box as well.
"Trash he says!! I HATE HIM!!!" Meg shrieked. "You'll see, you snotty little mage, I'll turn Gadget into the best robot you will ever see, how about that huh??! Stupid mage!!!"
"Oh Meg, stop saying that." Millie said.
"Why??!" Meg demanded as she disassembled Gadget. "You heard everything he said!!! It's horrid!!!"
"Well," Millie smiled. "At least he got you working. A few moments ago, you had given up."
Meg froze. Damn. "DAMN!!!" She threw down her wrench and pulled at her hair. "DAMN!!! I HATE IT WHEN HE'S RIGHT!!!"
* * *
Meg smiled ruefully. "He was good at that kind of stuff—getting people off their butt." She rested her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her hands.
"This friendship you had with him seemed rather… bizarre." Kidd said.
Meg nodded. "To say the least. It's too bad he changed. He was always capable of changing so quickly…
"I used to fight with him, but now my daughter fought against him. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he ended up this way, but I am. I am surprised. Or maybe just regretful?" Meg sighed. "Either way, it's not a very good feeling…"
"………" Lady Meg gets more and more familiar, especially with that faraway look on her face. I'm sure, I'm so sure—
* * *
Dear Belle,
Hello. I know of your journey to find your mother. Don't ask why, informers always know. You are with Sir Futch, correct? I wrote to tell you to go to Vinay del Zexay. It may prove fruitful. Good luck.
From Kidd
After parting with Meg, Kidd managed to find a delivery service that uses carrier pigeons and delivered the letter to Belle. Surely a white dragon is good enough a mark to ensure that the letter gets to its destination.
I have yet to investigate this matter of whatever it is between you and Sir Futch, Lady Meg. Why do you have that precious badge I wonder? Well, I didn't let it go… I'm just postponing it. Kidd smiled to himself as he made his way to the nearest inn. What a lovely day.
Author's Notes again: Well, it's done. ^^;;;;; What more can I say?
Next Chapter Preview:
"I don't blame him… for despising his 'big brother'…"
"I mean…"
"He must have felt betrayed…"
"Knowing that my part is over…"
"And more and more is expected of him every time…"